Matlaba’s injury rules him out of AFCON qualifier

Thabo Matlaba of South Africa. Picture Credit: Gallo Images
Thabo Matlaba of South Africa. Picture Credit: Gallo Images

Bafana Bafana will be without Orlando Pirates defender Thabo Matlaba for Wednesday's crucial 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Congo-Brazzaville.

According to Bafana's media officer, Matlhomola Morake, who revealed the news on Wednesday morning via Twitter, Matlaba had been ruled out after he was named in Shakes Mashaba's starting line-up for a fourth successive game.

"Matlaba sustained an Achilles tendon injury at training. Failed late fitness test this morning," Morake's tweet read.

SuperSport United left-back Sibusiso Khumalo replaces Matlaba for his first appearance of the qualifying campaign.

Siyabonga Nhlapo, who was called up for the injured Anele Ngcongca before the team travelled to Point-Noire last week, comes into the match-day squad to replace Khumalo on the bench.

Mashaba had originally named an unchanged team from the one which beat Congo in Pointe-Noire four days ago, before Matlaba's failed fitness test on Wednesday morning.

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